The USMNT showed grit and character in a 1-1 draw against Ecuador in Austin, kicking off the October international window. Mauricio Pochettino’s team went down early but fought back and held on for an important result against a high-caliber opponent that arrived unbeaten in 11 straight matches and sits second in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers.
Behind on the scoreboard but not backing down
Ecuador struck first in the 24th minute, in exactly the kind of play that punishes any back line. John Yeboah sent a perfectly timed ball to Enner Valencia, and the forward finished clinically with his right foot. Valencia, Ecuador’s all-time leading scorer, made it look simple with a sharp and efficient play.
Even after conceding, the USMNT didn’t shrink. Folarin Balogun was active early, forcing Hernán Galíndez into two key saves. In the 8th minute, he hit a low shot after a quick exchange with Tillman. In the 22nd, he nearly curled one into the top corner. Minutes later, Chris Richards rattled the post with a header from Tillman’s corner. The pressure didn’t stop there. McKennie kept a ball from going out, and Arfsten’s cross forced another reaction save from Galíndez. Before halftime, Morris also fired a deflected shot that went just wide.
Persistence pays off
In the second half, Pochettino made changes to keep the tempo high. Diego Luna and Alex Freeman came on in the 63rd minute, and the team kept pushing Ecuador deeper. The breakthrough came in the 71st. The USMNT pressed high on a goal kick, Tillman recovered the ball, got it back from Tessmann, and sent a low cross that Balogun calmly put away inside the six-yard box. It was the equalizer, a reward for the collective persistence that had built throughout the match.
The draw in Austin felt like a real test, the kind that shows exactly where a team stands. Ecuador came in with confidence, rhythm, and an unbeaten streak, and the USMNT managed to respond in a pressure-filled scenario. In four days, the team faces Australia, another chance to fine-tune details and keep building toward the World Cup.